This year’s Comic Con was at Kistamässan and it took place through November 1-3. The event brought together fans of anime, comics, and other pop culture media from all over Sweden. Even though I only got to attend the event on the second day, I was lucky enough to be there at all, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.
I went with a friend and we both dressed up as characters from different anime franchises. I dressed as Momo Ayase from Dandadan and was surprised to see people recognize my cosplay since it’s a fairly new anime, though I was the only Dandadan character. I did, however, see various Vocaloid, Jujutsu Kaisen, Madoka Magica, and even Star Wars and Marvel cosplays. It was incredible to see everyone’s dedication and attention to detail in their cosplays.
One of my favorite parts of the event was the Artist Alley. It was filled with stalls selling everything from acrylic stands and keychain charms to plushies, figurines and even body pillows. I got myself a mystery bag, a special print poster, and some manga volumes. There was also a Funko Pop stand which drew a lot of attention, creating a long queue. The shelves were filled with collectible figurines featuring characters from every fandom imaginable, but sadly I couldn’t find the characters I was looking for.
The activity area offered something for everyone. Kids—and let’s be honest, a few adults too—were playing with lightsabers. It was like something straight out of Star Wars, like the Jedi battles. In other areas, Japanese idols performed live songs, K-pop dance competitions took place on stage, and meet-and-greets with famous cosplayers.
The one thing I was disappointed about was the fact that there wasn’t a best costume competition. This is an iconic part of any Comic Con but seems like I either missed it or they didn’t have the competition at all. However, there was a cosplay parade. Twice during the festival, cosplayers walked through the entire convention centre as spectators stood beside the walkway, taking pictures and admiring the amazing cosplays.
This was my first ever experience going to such a big convention and meeting people who had similar interests as me. Comic Con Stockholm 2024 was simply a magical experience for me and others as it brought fans together in the best way possible. If you’re a fan of pop culture or cosplay, it’s an event you won’t want to miss next year!
